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Community Real Estate (CRE) Grants

Discover how community real estate grants are helping agencies secure and enhance their space for support and connection.

We’re supporting agencies with development grants.

Not only are we working to keep vital community spaces open and accessible — right in your neighbourhood — we’re also investing in them. Through development grants, we’re helping agencies reimagine, expand and build the physical spaces where residents can count on support for the long term.

What are the Expanding Community Space Capital grants?

Expanding Community Space Capital Grants cover pre-development costs, small capital expenses and other often overlooked yet critical steps to get projects off the ground and through to the finish line. Funding can support consulting and feasibility studies, construction to expand or adapt community spaces to better meet the changing needs of residents, or even the furniture that makes a newly built Hub feel like home.

Our first 13 grants — part of a 10-year, $23 million commitment — invest $2.125 million to help agencies jump-start new builds, retrofit and renovate community spaces, and bridge final funding gaps for transformational initiatives.

Collectively, these grants represent:

Take a behind-the-scenes look at what’s taking shape

Close-up of hands layered on a basketball.

At the Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services reception centre, a unique project is transforming an outdoor area into an enclosed playground, basketball court and multisport field, giving refugee children and their families a place to connect, move and thrive.

Close-up of hands sorting and packing food bank supplies.

Renovations and equipment upgrades at the Parkdale Community Food Bank’s new Hub will improve community accessibility, food storage and preparation capacity, and create a welcoming, dignified space for clients, staff and volunteers.

A senior, seen from behind, raises their hands above their head in a gesture, with others in the background doing the same.

In partnership with Universal Care, CHATS is breathing new life into a local historic building site and transforming it into Vaughan’s first not-for-profit respite centre, where people living with dementia can receive 24/7 short-term care in a warm environment.

Funding for projects like these means more inclusive, welcoming spaces for everyone, from children to seniors, and better services for those seeking support with housing, mental health, food security and more. It’s an investment in long-term stability, resilience and belonging in our communities.

Explore other projects

Down the street or around the corner, they’re in your community, transforming it for the better. For everyone.

See the projects

November 15, 2024

United Way Greater Toronto moves into social purpose real estate

With some agency spaces in precarious spaces, the response is aimed at providing long-term stability in a region experiencing rapid growth.

January 03, 2025

Strong neighbourhoods need community spaces

As rising costs threaten the future of community service organizations, United Way launches new strategy to protect community spaces across the GTA.

May 14, 2024

How Community Hubs bring neighbours together

Community Hubs are an important place where people can access support, resources and collaborate with their neighbours, all under one roof.